$200 Million Boost for BART Airport Extension

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, October 31, 1996

The San Francisco Airports Commission agreed yesterday to contribute up to $200 million toward BART's extension to SFO -- the largest contribution by any U.S. airport to a major transit project.

The agreement removes a major obstacle to securing federal financing for the project, assuring federal officials that the transit agency would be able to get enough local funding.

"This is a significant step for making BART to the San Francisco Airport a reality," said Airport Director John Martin.

The vote is expected to help BART get a guarantee from the federal government that it will help pay for the project. BART hopes for about $750 million in federal funding before the $1.2 billion project is completed in the year 2000.

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Congress had repeatedly questioned the plan's financial viability. It was particularly concerned about the airport's ability to get the $200 million from the airlines because of the airlines' opposition to the extension.

Ed Merlis, a senior vice president for the Air Transport Association, which represents the airlines, had maintained that the BART line was too expensive and that federal law bars the airport from using revenues on construction off airport property.

But last week, the Federal Aviation Authority approved the airport's financial contribution to the BART extension, effectively neutralizing the airlines' opposition.

Martin said the airport plans to raise the money by increasing terminal and landing fees paid by the airlines. But Merlis said the planned increases would have a significant impact on the airlines.

"Any increase decreases travel," he said from Washington, D.C. "This industry cannot afford to be spending inappropriately with the kind of responsibilities we have for a high level of safety and security."

Merlis said the airlines are urging the FAA to reverse its ruling on the BART project. He said the airlines have not ruled out filing a lawsuit.

Airport Commission President Henry Berman said he hopes SFO and the airlines will be able to maintain a healthy relationship despite their differences on the BART project.

"We hope to work with them after this is put to bed," he said at the commission meeting.

Opponents of the BART project urged the commission to postpone the vote to give the public and other groups time to study and raise questions on the agreement.

"BART is using your decision today to get federal funding that would probably not materialize" otherwise, Burlingame City Councilwoman Marti Knight told commissioners.

However, BART Board President Dan Richard stressed the importance of getting federal financing now because the project is competing with other transit projects from other cities.

"Every day we wait, there are more projects out there," he said. "We are ready to move forward with you in partnership."

The commission's decision will have to be ratified by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in the coming weeks. The BART board is expected to approve the agreement today.